Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? In the UK it’s the most romantic day of the year!

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

February 14th is traditionally a celebration of love, so how do people in the UK mark the occasion?

Cards

Sending a Valentine’s card to a loved one is a custom that started more than a century ago. Couples give cards to each other, but it is also traditional to send an anonymous card to anyone you secretly love. This practice is particularly common in schools and can be a source of great amusement and embarrassment as everyone tries to work out who sent a card and who has a secret admirer! Valentine’s Day symbols on cards include hearts designs, doves, and the figure of the winged angel, Cupid.

Poems

The card might also feature a poem. Probably the most famous lines from a Valentine’s Day poem are:

Roses are red, violets are blue,
Honey is sweet, and so are you.

There are some ironic variations on this poem such as:

Roses are red, violets are blue,
You look like a monkey and smell like one too!

Mobile love

Millions of people use digital means of creating and sending Valentine’s Day greeting messages such as e-cards, social media posts or printable greeting cards. Texting your Valentine message is an easy (although maybe not very romantic!) option. Valentine’s Day text messages include:

WUBMV – will you be my Valentine

xoxoxoxoxo – hugs and kisses

LUWAM<3 – love you with all my heart

ImRdy4Luv – I’m ready for love

:'-) – I’m so happy, I’m crying

ILUVU – I love you

Flowers and chocolates

As well as cards, February 14th is also a day for giving gifts. Traditionally, men give chocolates or flowers to their wives or girlfriends. There are lots of websites offering advice on which Valentine’s present to buy. Popular choices include red roses, a box of chocolates, romantic songs, a phone, jewellery, a photo frame or perfume.

Unusual gifts

Some people think that flowers and chocolates seem a little ordinary and so they look for a more unusual gift. For romantic people with plenty of cash, these gifts could include a helicopter flight, a balloon ride, the chance to test-drive a Ferrari or an all-day session at a health club.

Others, however, complain that Valentine’s Day is yet another opportunity for ever-increasing commercialism. For true romantics, the gift of love is enough. Valentine's Day is a popular day to either propose or get married – you’d never forget your wedding anniversary!

Valentine’s Day: love it or hate it?

We asked a few Brits about their views on Valentine’s Day and here’s what they said. Following the tradition of Valentine’s Day, all the comments below are anonymous.

In my country,Myanmar, Valentine Day is celebrated widely. On that day, almost all of couples wear couple shirts and gave presents each other.The whole road is full with couples holding flowers or huge teddy bears.Most of the couples post their couple photos and presents they got on social medias like Facebook,Twitter,Instragram and so on.It seems so childish and immature for me.That’s why I don’t ike Valentine Day.I think U don’t need to celebrate a day to show off ur love to ur loved ones.If u really love and respect someone,everyday is Valentine Day.No need to show off how u love.

In Ukraine we not celebrate Valentine's Day because it is a Catholical holiday/I like a Valentine's Day because I think it is a sugnigicent holiday and you can make your family happy and give the gifts.I like make "hand made"presents because I think it is the most enjoyed gift and I like make sweet presents: gingerbread and cakes!!!

Valentine's Day is one of the international holidays in our country. Many people make a declaration of love and propose marriage on that day. Lovers make surprises and give presents to each other, for example: cards, toys, boxes of chocolates, chocolate bars and coloured balloons. Some these gifts are made in the shape of hearts. The main symbol of this holiday is a valentine card. It’s a small heart-shaped card with a nice words. And other people send poems each other in messages. Funny parties are traditionally held at schools, clubs and cafes. We had a party devoted to St. Valentine's Day in our school on the fourteenth of February. There was a postbox in the hall. The students put cards addressed to the person they have a romance with. They sent it anonymously.
I like this holiday, because it gives people happiness and joy.

In our country some people celebrate St Valentine's Day. We have some traditions, for example sending cards with congratulations to our loved people. Also, ones can send presents anonymously to people that they secretly love. We get and give such gifts as chokolate,toys, flowers and of course cards with unusual poems.
But others mark similar celebration on July 8th. There are many customs on this day.

In my country, valentine's day is not so much of a deal. I mean, some of us celebrate it but most of us are indifferent. Personally, i would like valentine's day if i had a boyfriend..Just kidding..I like it one way or another.:)

In my country we don't traditionally celebrate Valentine's day because it's a catholic holiday. However most young couples celebrate this day and buy presents for their loved ones. In my country on the same day, 14th February, we celebrate Sveti Trifun, which can be translated into English like The Day of The Wine. So, every year on that day there are plenty of discussions about what holiday should we be celebrating. I think people start to celebrate both of this holidays because they are both unique and special.

That's similar to my country. Goverment has never considered it a holiday but many teenagers ( and adults) often buy gifts for their boy'girlfriends ( and life partners).
But do you know why annually, the Vietnamese people don't have to work on Valentine's day ? They often stay at home or hang out with their lovers all day. (^------^). Because we have ten days off for Lunar New Year Eve and these holidays cover Valentine's day . That's coincident ( and great ) , right ?

I don't enjoy valentine's day very much although my friends and relatives celebrate it every year. It's weird that people with their love walking around, chatting at someone who haven't got a guy/girl yet. It's definitely not a good feeling :)))

Oh, I didn't know that. I don't think of such a word which compares people with animals in my language. We could say he's bearish (like a bear) but we don't call someone bear or chicken. Language represents how we see things, interesting, huh?
(ง ´͈౪`͈)ว

My view on Valentine's Day?
This year, I'm just feeling blue…
First, I've got an exam all day.
Second, I was known that my girlfriend was going to eat out with her classmate as is customary. So I'm in the wrong mood!!!
Well, I'm thinking about saving time and doing something for myself at home….!
Ωヾ(･ω･｡)

i am from romania and no, i don't celebrate valentine's day in my country.In my opinin it's a superficial event because i don't need a one day for express my love and feeling to the loved one.I can buy chocholate or another sweets for my boyfriend when i want..today,tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.I don't need a event to express my feeling,i think that i can do this when i want.

I do celebrate valentine day, but I never got any cards, a bucket of flowers, or even chocolate.
But now I have a crush with my senior. I want to confess my feelings through a card because I'm kind of shy. Is there any suggestion? Feel free to tell me.

We do not celebrate Valentine's day, but if someone love with each other in my mind there is no need for Valentine's day for lovers every day even every second is valentine's day moment, please enjoy your life with lovers, wherever you are.